HOTmaths dictionary

This illustrated dictionary offers free access to over several hundred mathematical symbols, terms and definitions from the early secondary syllabus.

Select any letter to see examples of mathematical terms with clear explanations and helpful diagrams.

The comprehensive glossary of maths terminology is just one of the many special features of the HOTmaths learning system.

To see the complete HOTmaths dictionary, which includes middle secondary and primary maths words, and to investigate all the other components of HOTmaths, get a free account for 7 days.

SYMBOLS A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

To see this feature, you need to subscribe to HOTmaths Unlimited. The HOTmaths Unlimited learning system will also give you access to over 15 000 questions, worksheets and interactives.

   

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition face a flat surface of a polyhedron A face must be a polygon (have straight sides).

Related links: Measuring solids — Volume of rectangular prisms Measuring solids — Volume of any prism Measuring solids — Surface area 3D shapes — Faces, edges and vertices 3D shapes — Classifying solids 3D shapes — Nets of solids 3D shapes — Drawing solids 3D shapes — Views of solids

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition factor a whole number that will divide into another number exactly Example The illustration shows the factors of 6.

Related links: Number theory — Factors and multiples Number theory — Highest common factor (HCF) Number theory — Divisibility tests Number theory — Prime and composite numbers Number theory — Factor trees Number theory — HCF and LCM for large numbers Number theory — Square roots Number theory — Cube roots Fractions — Equivalent fractions Fractions — Multiplying mixed numerals Decimals — Changing decimals to fractions Percentages — Writing percentages as fractions Integers — Multiplying integers Integers — Dividing integers Representing data — Divided bar graphs Manipulating algebra — Factorising Manipulating algebra — Factorising Ratios and rates — What is a ratio?

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition factor tree an illustrated breakdown of a number into its prime factors

Related links: Number theory — Factor trees Number theory — HCF and LCM for large numbers Number theory — Square roots

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition factored form an expression that is written as a product, often involving grouping symbols (see also expanded form) Example 3(y + 4) is the factored form of 3y + 12

Related links: Manipulating algebra — Factorising

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition factorise to write an expression as a product, often involving the use of grouping symbols Example To factorise 2x + 6 you rewrite it as 2(x + 3).

Related links: Manipulating algebra — Factorising

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition favourable event the result you want (also called successful event) Example If you are tossing a die and hoping to roll a number greater than 4, the favourable events are 5 and 6.

Related links: Chance — The language of chance

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition Fibonacci numbers a special sequence of numbers named after the mathematician who discovered it Starting with 1, 1 each term of the Fibonacci sequence is the sum of the two numbers preceding it. Example The first 10 Fibonacci numbers are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55. To get the next number, add the last two terms 34 and 55 together: 89.

Related links: Number theory — Further patterns in numbers

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition figurate numbers numbers that are generated by arranging dots (pebbles, seeds, counters) to form geometrical shapes (see also pentagonal numbers) Examples

Related links: Number theory — Further patterns in numbers

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition figure (geometric) a combination of points, straight or curved lines and surfaces Examples Two-dimensional figures: two intersecting or parallel lines, square, rectangle, circle, pentagon, triangle Three-dimensional figures: cube, sphere, rectangular prism, triangular pyramid

Related links: Measuring solids — Volume of any prism 2D shapes — Plane shapes 3D shapes — Faces, edges and vertices Pythagoras' theorem — Pythagoras, perimeter and area Representing data — Histograms and polygons Circles and cylinders — Area of a circle Congruent and similar shapes — Which shapes are similar? Exploring geometry — Exploring parallelograms and rectangles

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition figure (numerical) a digit or any characters representing a number Examples 5, 30%, 0.56

Related links: Whole numbers — Estimation and rounding off Whole numbers — Long division methods

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition finite has an end or a numerical value, that is, can be measured or counted (opposite to infinite)

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition formula a general rule for finding the value of one thing given the values of others A formula is often written as an algebraic equation containing more than one pronumeral. Example The formula for finding the area of a rectangle is: Area = length × breadth ie A = l × b

Related links: Algebra — Substitution Length, perimeter and area — Areas of rectangles and squares Length, perimeter and area — Areas of triangles Length, perimeter and area — Areas of parallelograms Length, perimeter and area — Converting area units and estimating Measuring solids — Volume of rectangular prisms Measuring solids — Volume of any prism Pythagoras' theorem — Length of the hypotenuse Pythagoras' theorem — Pythagoras, perimeter and area Equations and inequalities — Equations to solve problems Equations and inequalities — Equations and formulas Manipulating algebra — Formulas in spreadsheets Circles and cylinders — Area of a circle Circles and cylinders — Volume of a cylinder Ratios and rates — Rates

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition fraction part of a whole number (see also numerator, denominator) Example The shaded section represents the fraction "two-tenths" ().

Related links: Fractions — What is a fraction? Fractions — Mixed numerals and improper fractions Fractions — Equivalent fractions Fractions — Comparing and ordering fractions Fractions — This as a fraction of that Fractions — Adding and subtracting fractions Fractions — Adding and subtracting mixed numerals Fractions — Multiplying fractions Fractions — Multiplying mixed numerals Fractions — Dividing by simple fractions Fractions — Dividing by harder fractions Fractions — Finding the whole amount Decimals — Changing decimals to fractions Decimals — Changing fractions to decimals Decimals — Recurring decimals Percentages — Writing percentages as fractions Percentages — Changing fractions to percentages Percentages — Percentage/fraction/decimal connection Percentages — Common conversions Algebra — Multiplying and dividing terms Representing data — Divided bar graphs Applying percentages — Percentage of a quantity Equations and inequalities — A formal approach Manipulating algebra — Algebraic fractions The number plane — Comparing lines and equations Congruent and similar shapes — Scale factor

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition freezing point temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid Example Below 0°C, water turns to ice.

Related links: Integers — What are directed numbers?

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition frequency the number of times a data value occurs Example If 5 people achieve a score of 8 in a test, then 5 is the frequency of that score.

Related links: Representing data — Organising data into tables Representing data — Histograms and polygons Representing data — Grouping data Representing data — Dot plots Analysing data — Analysing tables

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition frequency histogram a special type of column graph for quantitative data, with no gaps between the columns

Related links: Representing data — Histograms and polygons Representing data — Grouping data

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition frequency polygon a line graph obtained by joining the midpoints of the tops of the columns in a histogram

Related links: Representing data — Histograms and polygons Representing data — Grouping data

© 2007 HOTmaths Pty Ltd

Term Definition frequency table a table summarising data by showing all possible scores from lowest to highest in one column, and the frequency of each score in another column A tally column may also be included in the table to help collect data.